Natalie + Warren = Tear Jerker:

What though the radiance that was once so bright

Be now forever taken from my sight

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower

We will not grieve, rather find

Strength in what remains behind...

Alas, Poor Andrew, I Knew Thee Well:

Twenty-three years ago, Andy Warhol (Andrew Warhola) died in New York City of complications from routine gallbladder surgery. Warhol's body was taken back to Pittsburgh by his brothers for burial. The coffin was a solid bronze casket with gold plated rails and white upholstery. Warhol was dressed in a black cashmere suit, a paisley tie, a platinum wig, and sunglasses. He was posed holding a small prayer book and a red rose. Although most never knew, Warhol was a deeply devout Catholic. The funeral was held at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church on Pittsburgh's North Side. The eulogy was given by Monsignor Peter Tay. The coffin was covered with white roses and asparagus ferns. After the liturgy, the coffin was driven to St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. At the grave, the priest said a brief prayer and sprinkled holy water on the casket. Before the coffin was lowered, Paige Powell (his closest companion) dropped a copy of Interview magazine and a bottle of the Estee Lauder perfume "Beautiful" into the grave. Warhol was buried next to his mother and father. A few weeks later a memorial service was held in Manhattan for Warhol on April 1, 1987, at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Warhol was once quoted as saying, "I'm a deeply superficial person." For all his strangeness, I think he was really quite a normal person... with a great sense of humor.

Smilefest:

My youngest daughter is a sophomore in college who is scrimping and saving her hard-earned cash for a trip to India. For Valentine's Day, I received a red envelope from her... inside was the above, a torn-out page of a magazine.

There are so many things about this gift that I love:

First is the GUY in the photo himself -- Jon Hamm (Don Draper in Mad Men). Hmmm yummy, swoon-swoon, pant-pant... 'nuff said!

Next is the fact that my daughter didn't want me to be FORGOTTEN on Valentine's Day. She knew I would miss my sweetheart -- her Dad -- on this special day.

Then is her CREATIVITY which constantly amazes me... this inexpensive gift was better than any hot-house flowers, gourmet candy, or store-bought card I could have received.

And instead of giving something to remind me of my alone-ness, this gift made me LAUGH out loud with the best belly-laugh ever!

Most of all though, I love fact that she knew what my reaction would be. She gets me, she KNOWS me so well. That fact makes me smile a lot.

Save the Honeybee:
Nearly one-third of our food crops require pollination by honeybees.

In the last five years, the U.S. has lost 35% of these industrious insects’ population. Be it tracheal mites, varroa mites, African hive beetles, pesticides, poor bee nutrition, or cell phone use, it is not known exactly what is causing Colony Collapse Disorder (a mysterious disorder causing the disappearance of millions of honeybees). Left unsolved, it will seriously affect the availability of the food we eat, and the resulting shortage of food for wild life would effect the populations of birds and animals.

What can you do? Buy local honey, do not buy foreign honey. Buy local and if possible organic food. Never spray flowering plants with pesticides. Write to your senators and representatives in Congress on the federal level and do the same on the state level to support funding of honeybee research. Put pressure on politicians to reinstate laws that used to prevent importing bees into the country and transporting them across state borders. Large or small, any effort you make to help honeybees or increase awareness is a step towards healthy honeybees, healthy crops, and, consequently, healthy humans.

The Verbal & Visual Master:
I was sick all last week (ugh!) and couldn't hold my head up to read, so I kept the TV on for company. In all my channel surfing between AMC, TCM, BBC, and IFC, I also watched the Sundance Channel. One day there was an "Iconoclast" Season 4 segment showing fashion designer Stella McCartney paired with artist Ed Ruscha. It knocked me out! It was so great listening to Ruscha talk about art and catching up on what he is doing now.

Edward Ruscha's body of work is uniquely American in both subject and sensibility. Long regarded as an American master, Ed Ruscha has redefined the way we see the urban landscape, and, for that matter, the American landscape as a whole. Ruscha's intimacy with the essence of America, its free-spiritedness, is best expressed in his own words, "I like to think of myself as an ambling rambling person who doesn't have to concern himself with time: that's what we all dream about isn't it?"

Ruscha's glamorous "bad boy" persona and his Los Angeles County Museum retrospective were subjects for a 1983 People magazine profile in its May issue. In the article Henry Geldzahler is quoted as saying, "Conceptual, pop, surrealist, dada, neo-dada, earth art-all these are arguable elements of his style. Ruscha can be pinned down partially by any of these labels and yet he escapes all of them."

"His vision has touched America's soul through the beauty and boldness of his art, transforming city planning maps into sublime landscapes. I call on Ed Ruscha to reach out to Americans of every belief and move this good-hearted nation toward a culture of life. Ed's wonderfully idiosyncratic nature reflects the hard working people of America. Ed is a man of faith and a believer to the end. Ed Ruscha warns us that Los Angeles might be a mirage and California a myth -- a façade about to crumble into the desert, a set about to liquefy into the sea. Most families don't look to Hollywood for a source of values. The heart and soul of America is found in places like Oklahoma, where Ed grew up," commented President George W. Bush in January 2005 upon the occasion of naming Ed Ruscha as Secretary of the United States Department of Art & Technology, to lead his ambitious agenda for cultural reform.

Whitney Museum Director Adam D. Weinberg describes Ruscha as having "a singular vision of America, he forces us to examine impassive iconography and the landscape of the ordinary, compelling us to look anew at the astonishing strangeness of the world."

Ugh Ugh Ugh:

Down with the flu -- will be back to posting on Monday, February 22.

But Most Of All:

Dedicated to my sweetheart,

one of his favs -- Dean-o:

I wish you bluebirds in the Spring,

To give your heart a song to sing,

And then a kiss, but more than this,

I wish you love.

And in July, a lemonade,

To cool you in some leafy glade,

I wish you health, and more than wealth,

I wish you love.

My breaking heart and I agree,

That you and I could never be,

So with my best, my very best,

I set you free.

I wish you shelter from the storm,

A cozy fire to keep you warm,

But most of all, when snowflakes fall,

I wish you love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hearts Are A-Poppin':

All of my friends are still on New Year's Resolution diets, so I am not going to tempt them with my usual ooey-gooey Valentine's Day treats. Instead, I'm going to bag up some homemade popcorn. This is a great substitute for the usual microwave stuff, and although it has "some" butter in it, it is still way-better for you than the prepackaged kind... and it tastes way-better too!

Lemon-Rosemary Buttered Popcorn

1 cup popcorn kernels (I use Orville Redenbacher's White Corn Gourmet Popping Corn)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

Heat the popcorn and oil in a 1-gallon, heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat. When the popcorn starts to pop, cover the pot tightly and continue to cook until all the popcorn pops, about 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl.

In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook until it is brown, shaking the pan occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the rosemary to the butter and pour the butter mixture over the popcorn. Toss well. Add the salt and pepper and lemon zest. Toss well.

SIDE NOTE: Have you heard about adding Brewer's Yeast to your popcorn? Brewers Yeast (not to be confused with baking yeast) is an excellent source of B vitamins, protein and minerals. While it doesn't taste good on it's own, it's quite delicious mixed with melted butter and poured over popcorn! It will take on an almost cheesy flavor. I think you'll be surprised!
:: Melt 1 stick butter and 2 tablespoons EVOO, then add 3 rounded tablespoons of Brewer's Yeast and pour over 3 cups popcorn kernels that have been popped. Finish up with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning.

I Wear My Sunglasses at Night:
A couple of weekends ago, I took a little trip to Harker Heights, Texas. On the way, I noticed that all the road signs were blurry. So blurry, in fact, that I couldn’t read the durn signs ‘til I drove almost past 'em! “Hmmm,” I wondered, “What is wrong with all these signs!?!”

I had an eye exam this morning. After taking my vitals and doing some preliminary vision checks, the nurse exclaimed, “And you actually drove yourself to this appointment!” Ha ha ha…

I was then escorted to a freezing cold rest area to wait for my eyes to dilate. I sat there for over an hour! (They denied it, but I think they forgot about me.) Once in the machine room, I snuggled my chin into a cold metal cup and leaned way forward… my eyes were subjected to grids with wiggly lines, bright blue lights, bright green dots, and bright white flashes. My eyeballs hurt and my head ached.

The doctor came in and summed up the results of all the tests to which I had been subjected. As I sat there blinking rapidly, I learned I wasn’t going blind; I had no signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, nor cataracts (Thank God!). At 55, I am now near-sighted and will have to wear glasses to drive at night… and I have Astigmatism (Astigmatism? I thought it was “You have a stigmatism.”), which means that my cornea is the shape of a football instead of a baseball. In-ter-rest-ing…

They handed me a pair of lovely Rollens to wear until my eyes returned to normal. I looked hot! Just like my 93-year-old-great-aunt. What a fashion statement!

Never Too Old to Rock:
Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, Hearts are on my mind. (I'm trying to segue here so bear with me!)

Have you ever heard of the Young At Heart Chorus? I thought if you haven't, maybe you would want to. I was introduced to them recently via PBS very late one night, in a Walker George documentary entitled simply, Young At Heart.

The film is about a senior citizen’s chorus singing rock & roll. It follows this group of 73 to 90 year old men and women as they rehearse and perform. Along the way you get to know some of the members and how much singing in this group means to them. It is a life-affirming film of people who are common in their age and love of music. They are very much alive and engaged, although they regularly confront the difficulties of aging.

There are many funny moments and many sad moments in the film, and many surprising moments... especially one scene when they perform at a prison. You can tell on the faces of the prisoners that they don't have a clue why these old people are visiting. Then the Young At Heart Chorus bangs out The Boss' Dancin' in the Dark, the prisoners start smiling and laughing at the irony. By the end of their performance, the chorus has won over the crowd and even earned some respect. But their last song touches the prisoners deeply, especially when it is announced that the song is dedicated to one of the chorus members who died a few hours earlier. Bob Dylan's Forever Young takes on new meaning for these men locked up in prison. The scene provides a very large lump in the throat.

Another touching moment is at the end of the film when Coldpay's Fix You is performed. Sung by an elderly gentleman in ill health, the song is no longer about youth's optimistic second chances; it is a blunt testimony about life, its trials and regrets, and its end. This version of Fix You will bring you to tears.

These singers, most of them well-rehearsed amateurs, refuse to go gently into that good night. For them music is oxygen. And this film allows us to see people who, because of their age, are generally invisible in our youth-centered culture. As the Young At Heart Chorus makes clear, these are people we need to know and whose joyful lives are worth aspiring to.

Awe Continued:
In response to 70-plus years of inquiries, pleading and collector interest, Eyvind Earle -- artist, illustrator, author, poet -- consented to write a definitive autobiography in 1990. It included the complete journal of his monumental cross-country bicycle trip across America in 1937; hence the title, "Horizon Bound on a Bicycle" illustrated with his black and white reverse etchings... waiting, anxiously, for my "vintage" copy to arrive!

Here's one of his beautiful poems to share with you:

There are certain words I love to sound

Moon wind rain stars round

Grass trees rocks wood stones

Dash breeze locks good tones

Certain words are healthy wholesome whole

Girls youth beauty life soul

Certain words sing and laugh and cry

Smiles tears wonder wander why

-Eyvind Earle

He's Greek To Me:

I visited my daughter, her husband and Miss M last weekend. Everyone is doing better than expected and it was comforting to see them together in their own little love nest... to see the puzzle pieces back in their proper place.

It was such wicked weather that we stayed in most of the time -- snuggling by the fire watching movies. Miss M dictated that we watch "Sleeping Beauty"... a lot. I didn't mind though, "Sleeping Beauty" has always been my old Disney favorite. And as I watched, I marveled again at the art of Eyvind Earle (1916-2000).

Have you ever noticed how different "Sleeping Beauty" is compared to, say, "Snow White" and "Cinderella"? Eyvind Earle is why. "Walt Disney wanted to this film to look like a living illustration, inspired by medieval art, not the typical Disney style. He wanted it to stand out from its predecessors by choosing a different visual style. So, Disney artist Eyvind Earle was made the film's color stylist and chief background designer, and Disney gave him a significant amount of freedom in designing the settings and selecting colors for the film. Earle also painted the majority of the backgrounds himself. The elaborate paintings usually took seven to ten days to paint; by contrast, a typical animation background took only one workday to complete."

Eyvind Earle was an American artist, author and illustrator, noted for his contribution to the background illustration and styling of Disney animated films in the 1950s. His life is fascinating, too much to cover in this blog. But The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rahr West Art Museum, Phoenix Art Museum and Arizona State University Art Museum have purchased Earle's works for their permanent collections. His works have also been shown in many one-man exhibitions throughout the world. (And if you happen to live in or near Albuquerque, New Mexico, an exhibition of his work begins today through March 4, at the Palette Contemporary Gallery.)

In Earle's words:

"I don't try to convey an idea or emotion, and I'm not at all interested in art that is supposed to reflect our times. Greek art, which is as excellent today as when it was created, certainly doesn't reflect Greece 2,500 years ago. It simply is beautiful, superior possibly to anything done since."
"There is a great force pulling us, and the more it manifests, the more creative we become. Art is an attempt to delve into this mystery, to pick one detail out of the infinitude of infinities and make it clear."

He continued to produce serigraphs until he died in 2000 --his "screen paintings"--earning financial and critical success in an age when loveliness has nearly become passe. While other artists strive to impress with anger or social relevance, or to beguile with nostalgia, a public weary of the present and doubtful of the future, Eyvind Earle pursued beauty. This quest predates the Greeks, but Earle's strength of vision and craftsmanship made it compellingly his own.

That's Why You Have Dogs:

Uh-oh, I've joined another book club... got lots of time on my hands, don't cha know!

For the first meeting, we're suppose to read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. "The story takes place in 1962 Mississippi. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women -- mothers, daughters, caregivers, and friends -- view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't."

This is my first ever boy/girl book club... please tell me someone like Grigg Harris will join!

Happy Birthday, Max:

Today, my great-nephew is ten years old. I wish I knew him better. All I have are photos and stories. I know he loves the water. He loves to surf. He loves to climb to the tops of trees. He is the center of my niece and my sister and brother-in-law's lives -- 24/7. He is autistic, and such a beautiful, beautiful boy.

Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.

Experts estimate that Autism affects 1 in 110 children; 1 in 70 boys. Autism prevalence figures are growing. For more information on Autism and/or where you can make a donation, visit these sites: Autism Speaks or Surfers Healing - A Foundation for Autism.

Bing! Déjà Vu:

"Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there..." I heard that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today and now they predict six more weeks of winter weather... come on, really? I don't know about where you live, but here in North Texas, the winter of 2009-10 will go down in weather history books as a record-breaking bad one. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

All the same, when I hear anything about Groundhog Day or even just the name groundhog, I can't help but think of Bill Murray. And it makes me smile, really big. I love that movie. I never get tired of watching it; I probably know every single line. And it's one of my go-to-movies if I can't get to sleep at night.

For those of you who have never seen "Groundhog Day" (is there such a person?): Bill Murray plays Phil Connors (Mary Pat's brother), an obnoxious TV weatherman from Pittsburgh forced to relive the same wintry day in a small Pennsylvania town over and over again until he gets it right, in an unexpectedly graceful and well-organized comedy (1993) directed and co-written by Harold Ramis. While the movie's underlying message is basically "A Christmas Carol" strained through "It's a Wonderful Life." The filmmakers reveal their true virtue: a fluid sense of narrative that works the story's theme-and-variations idea with a glancing and gliding touch. The characters are fresh and familiar at the same time. It is a commendable achievement that the quality of the storytelling alone keeps the movie watchable and likable. Also starring Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott. "I'd like to say a prayer and drink to world peace."

Pour a Little Sugar On Me:

For my Valentines this year, I've decided to make the old-tried-and-true sugar cookies -- with a twist, of course! Hope you like them as much as we do.

Suga Moma’s Suga Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; add dry ingredients, and mix until incorporated. With mixer running, add egg, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated.

Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with non-stick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into hearts and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks. Sprinkle with large-grain decorating sugar. Let cool. (Makes 2 dozen)

If you want to add a little somethin’-somethin’, substitute brandy for the milk, or add a bit of lemon zest or a hint of cinnamon. Or, instead of sprinkling sugar on top, after they have cooled, dip one side in melted chocolate. Or make a combo of both!

A Few Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies from Martha: Chilled dough will help retain the shape of the cookies; soft, warm dough tends to lose its shape when cut and moved. Rolling out the dough is sometimes difficult. Roll out the dough in small batches, make sure it's cold, and use a light dusting of flour or sugar to keep it from sticking to the work surface. Don't overmix the dough once you have added the dry ingredients. Overmixing will make the cookies tough. Dip cookie cutters in flour to prevent sticking. Rotate baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure that the cookies bake evenly.